CHANDIGARH: Acting on the directions of Mr. Surjit Kumar Jyani, Health & Family Welfare Minister of Punjab Mr. Hussan Lal, Secretary-cum-Commissioner AYUSH, Punjab issued directions to prevent objectionable advertisements in print and electronic media by private Ayurvedic practitioners and Ayurveda Siddha and Unani (ASU) drug manufacturers, regarding cure of sexual diseases, for breast enlargement, to increase height and other diseases which falls under the provisions of Drug and Magic Remedies (objectionable advertisement) Act, 1954. The step has been taken to save the life of common public and also prevent harassment being faced by public due such misleading advertisements.

Giving information in this regard, Mr. Hussan Lal stated that in order to prevent the objectionable advertisements a meeting of all District Ayurvedic & Unani Officers-cum-Drug Inspectors was convened here on Thursday during which Director Ayurveda Punjab, Joint Director Ayurveda Punjab and Assistant Drug Controller of Punjab state were present. In this meeting provisions of Drug and Magic Remedies (objectionable advertisement) Act, 1954 were discussed in detail and action taken by the District Drug Inspectors for prevention of objectionable advertisement was also reviewed.

Commissioner AYUSH observed that some private practitioners and firms were openly violating the provisions of Act, which is punishable offence under this act. He said such persons are misguiding the public for their personal benefits. He directed the District Ayurvedic & Unani Officers-cum-Drug Inspectors to take strict action against such elements. He also dispatched DO letters to the Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendents of Police of all districts to prevent publication of any such advertisement which is objectionable under this act, in their respective areas of Jurisdiction. He also appealed to public to be aware of such objectionable and misguiding advertisement by private practitioner and manufacturers.

During the meeting, the District Ayurvedic & Unani Officers-cum-Drug Inspectors apprised Commissioner AYUSH that notice had been issued to 35 Private Ayurvedic Practitioners to immediately stop such objectionable advertisement and action has been pursued against them under Drug and Magic Remedies (objectionable advertisement) Act, 1954. Further the samples of 25 Ayurvedic Medicines were sent to Drug Testing Laboratory Patiala for testing. It was also told that license of One Ayurvedic Pharmacy has also been cancelled.